Re: OT - Christmas was Re: Cyrillic alphabet on RISC OS

In article <4ddec0766a1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Tim Hill <1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> The reason christmas was superimposed on the pagan festival celebrating
> the passing of the shortest day was simple: the church wanted to convert
> as many pagans as possible but knew they would have a problem with the
> yuletide feasting season. they simply tried to overlay the christian
> stuff to obliterate it. At the time they had no idea of the actual date
> of JC's birth, even assuming it happened at all.

This was so in Europe when St Bonifatius was sent to evangelise
in Germany. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em". He took over the
Tannenbaum (wie treu sind deine Blätter) aka the Weihnachtsbaum,
and the holly and the ivy and the mistletoe; yes, and the Yule Log.
"Weihnachten" is German for Christmas; but it strictly means
"Festival Nights".

The Church does know JC's birthday; at Tabernacles in 5 or 4 BC.
But like the Queen, JC has an "official birthday" as well as his
actual one. No big deal.

Ben

--
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Revd Ben Crick BA CF <ben.crick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ZFC Hf
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington on sea, Kent CT7 9TD (UK)
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* Having truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

.

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